Dr. Baker L. Purdon,
Artistic Director

Dr. Baker L. Purdon is a two-time American Prize–winning conductor and music educator who currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, Colorado. His professional experience spans music ministry in a wide range of faith traditions, including Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, and Jewish congregations. Prior to relocating to Colorado, he taught in both public and private schools for nearly a decade.

In 2022, Dr. Purdon was awarded the Presser Foundation Graduate Music Award, which supported the recording of his critically lauded debut album, Walking Through the Valley: Choral Music from Black Composers, 1919–2022. The album features the first commercial recordings of works by Harry T. Burleigh and Adolphus Hailstork, as well as the first studio recordings of excerpts from Margaret Bonds’ Credo. That same year, he was named the inaugural Presser Foundation Graduate Music Fellow. In this role, he visited performing arts organizations nationwide, consulted on ABDEI initiatives for the Foundation, and helped support the expansion of music scholar grants to HBCUs and HSIs.

Dr. Purdon earned his Ph.D. in Music Education and Choral Conducting from Temple University, where his dual research specializations focused on the ethical performance of Black choral music by White conductors and impostor syndrome among music students. He previously studied piano, voice, theatre, and conducting at the University of Kansas, the University of Central Missouri, and Westminster Choir College.

 

Amber Snow, Collaborative Pianist

Amber Snow received her master's degree in collaborative piano performance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she studied with Steinway Artist Dr. Sin-Hsing Tsai. Amber has pursued and enjoyed a variety of musical activities and careers over the years, and she most appreciates the shared community and beauty that comes from creating music with a group. She is the CEO at Nonprofit Megaphone, a digital marketing agency focused on partnering with and supporting nonprofit organizations. In her spare time, Amber enjoys playing disc golf, baking, and spending quality time with her dogs.

Board of Directors

The Denver Chorale board is made up of volunteer members, both singers and non-singers, who meet at least monthly to assist in the management of the organization, including fundraising, marketing, grantwriting and more.

Lindsay Dvorak, president

Lindsay Dvorak joined the Denver Chorale in fall 2022 and began serving on the board the following year. She is a marketing professional and entrepreneur, founding Personal Account, a mental wellness brand, and Copious Content, a boutique content marketing agency based in Englewood, Colorado. Lindsay’s musical experience began at age six, with both band and choir becoming a key facet in her life all the way through high school and beyond.

Sara Knudsen, vice president

Sara is the owner of Gold Stripe Consulting, LLC, a graphic and web design marketing firm. Sara has been a member of the Chorale since 2014 and has been active on the board since joining, in various positions. In addition to singing with the Chorale, she loves to play tennis and read. Sara lives in Littleton with her husband and two young daughters.

Ron Winsor, treasurer

Ron is a retired corporate manager for aviation operations in Europe as well as the United States. He brings organizational and financial management skills to the board, as well as a love of choral singing! Ron has enjoyed performing in choral groups in high school, college and the Navy, and has served on the board since May 2016.

Mike Lewis, operations chair

Mike Lewis has been a member of the Denver Chorale since the fall 2022 season and joined the board in spring 2023. He is a software engineer and entrepreneur who founded a venture-backed tech company in Denver. Mike has been involved in music since he was seven, singing in various community and high school/university choirs, as well as playing percussion in orchestras and marching bands.

Andrea Batson, cabaret committee chair & hospitality

Andrea Batson joined the Denver Chorale in the fall of 2019 and began serving on the board in 2022. Her musical experience includes singing in church, school and community choirs as well as serving as church instrumentalist and youth choir director for many years. She currently teaches piano and voice at her home studio in Castle Pines and is very happy to have found the warm and welcoming Denver Chorale!

Scotty Hupp

Sam Britz

Serah Haley, secretary

Serah Haley is a Business Manager at Children’s Hospital Colorado supporting Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, and Plastic Surgery. Serah has been a member of the Denver Chorale since 2023 and joined the board in 2024. She has been involved in choir and musical theatre throughout her life and is grateful to share this passion with others in the Denver community through the chorale.